7IDE !NGLE s 4HE 0HILIPPINES FATALLY WOUNDED THE 0ORTUGUESE EXPLORER &ERDINAND -AGELLAN THE FIRST %UROPEAN TO REACH THE 0HILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO 4HE LEGEND OF ,APU ,APU LIVES ON BUT TODAY THE ISLAND IS BETTER KNOWN FOR INTERCULTURAL COLLABORATION RATHER THAN CONFLICT n AND NOWHERE MORE SO THAT AT THE )!&4 4HE )!&4 WAS FOUNDED IN IN #EBU #ITY PART OF THE 6ISAYAS IN THE CENTRAL 0HILIPPINES )N *ANUARY IT MOVED TO IMPRESSIVE NEW FACILITIES ON -ACTAN )SLAND AND LAUNCHED ITS ONE YEAR $IPLOMA IN &ILMMAKING "IGFOOT %NTERTAINMENT A GLOBAL FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY BASED IN ,! (ONG +ONG AND -ACTAN IS THE CORPORATE PARENT OF THE )!&4 AND STANDS ALONGSIDE THE SCHOOL
#INEMA PARADISO
!N UNEXPECTED ESTABLISHMENT IN THE 0HILIPPINE PARADISE IS SENDING CREATIVE SHOCK WAVES AROUND THE FILM WORLD
7/2$3 )-!'%3 s +!4(%2).% *!#+
%TIHAD )NFLIGHT 3EPTEMBER
4
HE 0HILIPPINE MID AFTERNOON SUN BEATS DOWN ON THE GROUP OF STUDENTS AS TEACHER -ARK 'ARY EXPLAINS THE LATEST OUTDOOR LIGHTING TECHNIQUES ON THE LAWN OF THE )NTERNATIONAL !CADEMY OF &ILM AND 4ELEVISION )!&4 IN #EBU (IS STUDENTS WORK TOGETHER SETTING UP CAMERAS AND REFLECTORS TAKING NOTES ON F STOPS AND SHUTTER SPEEDS IN THE PATCHY SHADE OFFERED BY COCONUT TREES !S DARK CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON THREATEN A TROPICAL DOWNPOUR THE STUDENTS ARE ABSORBED BY THE CHALLENGES OF THE RAPIDLY CHANGING LIGHT "EHIND THEM THE TIDE IS OUT ON THE SHORES OF -ACTAN )SLAND A LANDSCAPE DOTTED WITH LOCAL #EBUANOS COLLECTING SHELLFISH 4HIS IS AN ORIGINAL SETTING FOR A FILM SCHOOL -ACTAN IS WELL KNOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE 0HILIPPINES .EARLY YEARS AGO A BATTLE TOOK PLACE ON THIS SMALL ISLAND DURING WHICH A NATIVE TRIBAL CHIEFTAIN NAMED ,APU ,APU
)N THE EXPANSIVE RECEPTION AREA SHARED BY "IGFOOT AND THE )!&4 EIGHT SCREENS SHOW CLIPS FROM RECENT PRODUCTIONS ! CONSTANT FLOW OF STUDENTS PASS THROUGH WEIGHED DOWN WITH BOOKS CAMERAS AND FILMMAKING EQUIPMENT 3OME STAY FOR A WHILE TALKING TO FRIENDS AND CLASSMATES OTHERS SIT IN BOOTHS AT THE &ASHION 46 #AF£ SIPPING COFFEE OR FRUIT SHAKES AND WORKING ON THEIR -AC"OOK 0ROS 4IMM $OOLEN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR PROGRAMMES RELAXES IN THE CAF£ AS HE EXPLAINS THE UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FILM SCHOOL AND THE PRODUCTION COMPANY h)T IS A KIND OF SYNERGY v HE SAYS h7E ARE THE ONLY INTERNATIONAL FILM SCHOOL THAT PROVIDES EXPERIENCE IN AN ON SITE COMMERCIAL FILM PRODUCTION COMPANY 3OME OF THE MOST PROMISING STUDENTS ARE OFFERED JOBS WITH "IGFOOT ONCE THEY GRADUATE v 4HE )!&4 IS ATTRACTING STUDENTS TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE WORLD FAST BECOMING A COSMOPOLITAN OUTPOST PRODUCING A RIVER OF TALENT h&ILM IS A COLLABORATIVE MEDIUM THE BEST WAY TO LEARN IT IS TO BE PART OF A DIVERSE PROFESSIONAL TEAM v $OOLEN SAYS )!&4 S ONE YEAR DIPLOMA DELVES INTO THE BOWELS OF FILMMAKING n SCREENWRITING CINEMATOGRAPHY DIRECTING PRODUCING EDITING AND SOUND )N /CTOBER THE SCHOOL WILL LAUNCH A TWO YEAR COURSE WHICH WILL INCLUDE WEEKS WORKING ON A FEATURE FILM h4HE NEW PROGRAMME WILL BE LIKE AN APPRENTICESHIP v EXPLAINS $OOLEN h7E WANT TO GIVE STUDENTS THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING PART OF A PROFESSIONAL TEAM SO THAT GRADUATES WILL ALREADY HAVE THE REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE THAT THEY NEED TO GET A FOOT IN THE DOOR OF THE FILM INDUSTRY v "EING AFFILIATED TO A COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION COMPANY ALSO MEANS THAT THE SCHOOL HAS
%TIHAD )NFLIGHT 3EPTEMBER
7IDE !NGLE s 4HE 0HILIPPINES
A MULTITUDE OF FACILITIES 3TAR ATTRACTIONS INCLUDE "IGFOOT S TWO SOUNDSTAGES ONE OF WHICH IS THE FIRST SOUNDPROOF SOUNDSTAGE IN THE 0HILIPPINES A CUBIC METRE UNDERWATER SHOOTING TANK AND A $OLBY MIX THEATRE WHICH DOUBLES AS A LARGE SCREENING ROOM 4HE )!&4 IS ONE OF THE BEST EQUIPPED DIGITAL FILM SCHOOLS IN THE WORLD 2ODGER 3ARGENT A #ALIFORNIAN PHOTOGRAPHER CHOSE THE SCHOOL PURELY FOR THIS REASON h) M USING EQUIPMENT THAT ) WOULD NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO USE UNTIL THREE YEARS AFTER GRADUATING v HE EXPLAINS h)T IS A HUGE PROFESSIONAL ADVANTAGE v 4HE SCHOOL HAS INVESTED IN FIVE 2%$ CAMERAS n A NEW GENERATION DIGITAL CAMERA USED BY DIRECTORS 3TEVEN 3ODERBERGH AND 0ETER *ACKSON *EFF "ACON A FILMMAKER FROM #ALIFORNIA IS A THESIS ADVISOR AND MENTOR FOR DIPLOMA
STUDENTS h4HE INTERNATIONAL ASPECT OF THE SCHOOL IS VERY ENRICHING v HE SAYS h4EACHERS FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES AND BACKGROUNDS SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AND PERSPECTIVES WITH EQUALLY DIVERSE STUDENT GROUPS v !T THE MOMENT THE )!&4 HAS STUDENTS AND MENTORS FROM -ANILA .EW 9ORK #ALIFORNIA #ANADA !USTRALIA .IGERIA 'REECE THE .ETHERLANDS 0OLAND 'ERMANY )NDIA AND "HUTAN AMONG OTHERS )!&4 COURSES ARE VERY HANDS ON $IPLOMA STUDENTS MAKE THREE SHORT FILMS DURING THE COURSE OF ONE YEAR 4HE FILMS INCREASE IN LENGTH AND COMPLEXITY AS THE STUDENTS ADVANCE n FROM A THREE MINUTE SILENT MOVIE TO A MINUTE SHORT /NE RECENT GRADUATE 3UJAY $AHAKE WON THE *URY !WARD FOR "EST &ILM AT THE )NTERNATIONAL #ULTURAL %XCHANGE $IGITAL 3HORT &ILM &ESTIVAL h4HE TALENT COMING OUT OF THIS PLACE IS STAGGERING v SAYS "ACON
h4HE OVERALL STANDARD IS GOING UP AND UP 4HE SCHOOL IS HITTING ITS STRIDE v 4HE )!&4 S LOCATION ON AN EXOTIC ISLAND IS A HUGE ATTRACTION FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ALIKE h7ORKING HERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THIS PART OF THE WORLD v SAYS "ACON h%VERY WEEKEND YOU CAN GO TRAVELLING ISLAND HOPPING OR SCUBA DIVING v 3OME STUDENTS EXPECT MORE OF A BEACH VACATION THAN COMPULSORY CLASSES AND EXAMS "UT ONE RECENT GRADUATE OFFERS ADVICE TO INCOMING STUDENTS h3TUDY STUDY STUDY v HE CONCLUDES 4HIS IS NO HOLIDAY )RONICALLY PERHAPS IT IS BECAUSE THE )!&4 IS LOCATED ON AN ISLAND THAT IT WORKS SO WELL !LTHOUGH BEAUTIFUL THE BEACHES ON -ACTAN ARE NOT OVERLY ENTICING BY 0HILIPPINE STANDARDS 3O BEREFT OF THE MULTITUDE OF DISTRACTIONS THAT MOST CITIES OFFER STUDENTS BECOME FOCUSED ON THEIR WORK AND DEVELOP
h4HE TRAINING HERE IS EXCEPTIONAL ) SEE A SHAKE UP OF THE 0HILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY ON THE HORIZON v %TIHAD )NFLIGHT 3EPTEMBER
02%6)/53 0!'%3 #,/#+7)3% &2/- ,%&4 4HE )!&4 S CINEMATOGRAPHY CLASS LEARNS OUTDOOR TECHNIQUES A STUDENT PRACTICES LIGHTING 0HILIPPINE m ORA STUDENTS AT WORK 4()3 0!'% #,/#+7)3% &2/- 4/0 ,%&4 #HANGING LIGHT CONDITIONS CAN PROVE CHALLENGING )!&4 S BREAKDANCING CLASS BALLOON SELLERS OUTSIDE THE 3ANTO .INO #HURCH THE 0HILIPPINES MAKES AN ENGAGING LOCATION FOR A l LM SCHOOL &/,,/7).' 0!'%3 4/0 4/ "/44/- !YNA 'ACIA &ILIPINO #ANADIAN STUDENT 3ANTO .INO #HURCH A &ILIPINO CAMERAMAN 0ETER ,AMASS AN )RISH STUDENT TAKES NOTES IN THE SHADE OF A COCONUT TREE
A SENSE OF CAMARADERIE h4HE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS MAKE THE SCHOOL WHAT IT IS v SAYS *OHAN "OSMA A YEAR OLD FROM THE .ETHERLANDS h4HERE ARE NEW INTERNATIONAL MENTORS ARRIVING EVERY FEW MONTHS SO WE GET EXPOSURE TO DIFFERENT IDEAS AND WAYS OF DOING THINGS 4HE STUDENTS ALSO INTERACT WELL WITH ONE ANOTHER MEANING THAT YOU CAN BE PART OF A FILM CREW EVEN WHEN YOU ARE COMPARATIVELY NEW v .ATALIE 0AYNE IS AN !USTRALIAN WITH FAMILY IN #EBU 3HE FIRST SAW THE )!&4 WHEN IT WAS STILL A BUILDING SITE AND SET HER HEART ON STUDYING THERE ONCE IT WAS COMPLETED h) ALWAYS DREAMED OF LEAVING !USTRALIA AND WORKING IN FILM SO COMING HERE WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY v SHE EXPLAINS h) GRADUATE NEXT TERM AND HAVE SECURED A JOB AT A ,ONDON FILM COMPANY "UT ) HOPE TO RETURN TO !SIA v
!YNA 'ACIA A &ILIPINO #ANADIAN STUDENT IS INSIGHTFUL ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AT THE )!&4 h) THINK OUR LOCATION IS VERY IMPORTANT v SHE SAYS h/N -ACTAN )SLAND THE FILM SCHOOL IS JUXTAPOSED WITH &ILIPINO COMMUNITIES WHOSE LIVES ARE A GREAT DEAL MORE SIMPLE THAN OUR OWN 4HE POVERTY HERE CAN BE QUITE STRIKING !S AN ASPIRING SCREENWRITER THIS EXPOSURE HELPS ME ADOPT A WORLDLY OUTLOOK v 'ACIA IS CURRENTLY TALKING TIME OUT OF HER DIPLOMA TO PRODUCE AND DIRECT A COOKERY PROGRAMME FOR &ILIPINO TELEVISION )T SEEMS QUITE NORMAL FOR STUDENTS TO START WORKING BEFORE THEY GRADUATE 4HERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE WITHIN "IGFOOT 0RODUCTIONS ITSELF n IN FEATURE FILMS COMMERCIALS OR &ASHION 46 0HILIPPINES WHICH IS BASED ON CAMPUS -INCO &ABRIGAS SPENT HIS SCHOOL VACATION WORKING ON BEHIND THE SCENES SHOOTS FOR $EEP 'OLD AN UNDERWATER ACTION THRILLER DIRECTED BY "IGFOOT CHAIRMAN -ICHAEL 'LEISSNER &ABRIGAS A PROFESSIONAL DRUMMER FROM -ANILA WAS ONE OF EIGHT ASPIRING &ILIPINO FILMMAKERS SELECTED FOR A REALITY TELEVISION
SERIES CALLED (OLLYWOOD "OOT #AMP SET IN ,OS !NGELES &ABRIGAS WON TAKING HOME AN )!&4 SCHOLARSHIP AND A FILM DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE h4HE TRAINING HERE IS EXCEPTIONAL v HE SAYS h) CAN SEE A SHAKE UP OF THE 0HILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY ON THE HORIZON v 4ROX 3ALAZAR IS AN )!&4 GRADUATE WORKING FOR "IGFOOT 0RODUCTIONS 6ISAYAN BY BIRTH HE WAS WORKING IN -ANILA WHEN HE DECIDED TO FOLLOW HIS DREAM OF A CAREER IN FILMMAKING h!FTER SEEING AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE )!&4 ) SOLD MY CAR AND USED MY SAVINGS TO ENROL v HE SAYS h)T PAID OFF n ) WAS OFFERED WORK FOR &ASHION 46 0HILIPPINES WHILE ) WAS A STUDENT AND ONCE ) GRADUATED ) WAS HIRED AS AN EDITOR ON A FEATURE FILM v 4HE STRONG SENSE OF CAMARADERIE AT THE )!&4 MEANS THAT STUDENTS AND GRADUATES ALIKE GO TO GREAT LENGTHS TO HELP ON EACH OTHER S CREATIVE PROJECTS &OR HER THESIS -ICHELLE 3IMBULAN FROM -ANILA IS MAKING A DARK COMEDY ABOUT FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS )T IS BEING SHOT AT NIGHT FROM EARLY EVENING TO EARLY MORNING ON LOCATION AT A LOCAL RESIDENCE (ER CREW IS
0ETER ,EMASS A YEAR OLD FROM $UBLIN AGREES h!SIA IS TIPPED TO BECOME A HOT SPOT FOR FILMMAKING v HE ENTHUSES h0RODUCTION COSTS HERE ARE LOWER SO THERE COULD BE MANY OPPORTUNITIES OPENING UP SOON v
%TIHAD )NFLIGHT 3EPTEMBER
7IDE !NGLE s 4HE 0HILIPPINES
)N THIS FRONTIER LAND OF THE INTERNATIONAL FILM INDUSTRY A HUB OF CREATIVITY IS EMERGING MADE UP OF CLASSMATES AND )!&4 GRADUATES WHO HAVE FLOWN IN TO LEND THEIR SKILLS ,IGHTS ARE BEAMED IN THROUGH THE WINDOWS TO SIMULATE BRIGHT MOONLIGHT AND THE CAMERA STARTS ROLLING "UT OUTSIDE NATURE IS CREATING ITS OWN DRAMATIC EFFECTS IT IS RAINING AND THE WIND IS PICKING UP A TYPHOON ON THE WAY ,ATER IN THE EVENING THE ELECTRICITY CUTS OFF AND THE TEAM IS FORCED TAKE AN UNSCHEDULED BREAK 4HE CREW REMAINS IN HIGH SPIRITS WHILE THEY EAT DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT AND DISCUSS THEIR FUTURE PLANS h!LTHOUGH WE COULD PROBABLY WORK ABROAD MOST OF THE &ILIPINO STUDENTS PLAN TO STAY HERE AFTER THEY GRADUATE v -ICHELLE EXPLAINS h7E FEEL WE HAVE THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE THAT THE 0HILIPPINE FILM INDUSTRY NEEDS RIGHT NOW v 4HIS IS A REFRESHING ATTITUDE IN A COUNTRY THAT MANY PROFESSIONALS ARE LEAVING FOR FOREIGN SHORES 4HE )!&4 ALSO OFFERS TRAINING IN PERFORMANCE ARTS AND A SCATTERING OF SHORT TERM WORKSHOPS FROM DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO PLAYWRITING !LEX 2AY *UNE AN ACTOR FROM .EW 9ORK TEACHES A DIVERSE GROUP ON THE PERFORMING ARTS COURSE
INCLUDING THREE MODELS FROM THE &ASHION 46 DIVISION AND ONE STUDENT FROM .AGALAND A REMOTE TRIBAL HILL STATE IN NORTHEAST )NDIA h)T IS CHALLENGING AS THEY ALL HAVE VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WHAT ACTING IS ALL ABOUT v HE REFLECTS 3AMIM 1URAISCHI FROM 'ERMANY AN INTERN AT "IGFOOT 0RODUCTIONS IS PRODUCING A SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTARY (E IS ALSO A PROFESSIONAL DANCER WHO TEACHES A BREAKDANCING CLASS 4HIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF THE VARIETY OF EXTRA CURRICULAR EXPERIENCES ON OFFER AT THE )!&4 WHERE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE CAN COME TOGETHER TO LEARN ABOUT FILMMAKING AND PERFORMANCE ARTS 4ODAY THE ISLAND OF -ACTAN IS EXTREMELY DIFFERENT FROM THE ISLAND THE 3PANISH VOYAGERS FOUND IN THE TH #ENTURY )T IS URBANISED MODERNISED AND YET WITH ITS TROPICAL WEATHER AND ALLURING SEASCAPES IT IS STILL A DISTINCTLY EXOTIC AND REMOTE LOCATION 0ERHAPS STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AT THE )!&4 ARE EXPLORERS OF A DIFFERENT KIND #ERTAINLY IN THIS FRONTIER LAND OF THE INTERNATIONAL FILM INDUSTRY A HUB OF CREATIVITY IS EMERGING
%80%2)%.#% #%"5 &/2 2%,!8!4)/. #() 3PA 3HANGRI ,A -ACTAN 2ESORT )N TRADITIONAL !SIAN PHILOSOPHY CH I IS THE UNIVERSAL LIFE FORCE THAT REGULATES WELL BEING AND PERSONAL VITALITY AND IT IS THIS PHILOSOPHY THAT INSPIRED #() THE SPA OF THE 3HANGRI ,A HOTEL GROUP !T THE 3HANGRI ,A S -ACTAN RESORT THE IMMENSE #() SPA IS GRACED AROUND A SERENE WATER GARDEN 4REATMENTS AT THE SPA RANGE FROM hHALF DAY RITUALSv TO h#() JOURNEYSv AND INCLUDE (IMALAYAN HEALING STONE MASSAGE AND WATSU AN EXTRAORDINARY SHIATSU LIKE WATER THERAPY THAT PROVIDES A UNIQUE AND DEEPLY RELAXING SENSATION WWW SHANGRI LA COM &/2 $).).' #OWRY #OVE 7ATCH THE MOON RISE OVER A TRANQUIL SEA AS YOU DINE AT #OWRY #OVE THE 3HANGRI ,A S AL FRESCO RESTAURANT ON THE WATER S EDGE 4HE EXCELLENT SERVICE AND SUPERFRESH SEAFOOD COOKED TO PERFECTION MAKE THIS AN EXCEPTIONAL DINING EXPERIENCE &OR AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING UNDER A STARRY SKY BOOK TABLE A SECLUDED NOOK AT THE END OF THE BOARDWALK WWW COWRIE COVE COM &/2 #5,452% "ASILICA -INORE DEL 3ANTO .INO !S ONE OF THE 0HILIPPINES S OLDEST CHURCHES "ASILICA -INORE DEL 3ANTO .INO IN THE HEART OF #EBU #ITY IS EVIDENCE OF THE RICH HISTORY OF #HRISTIANITY IN #EBU )T WAS BUILT IN ON THE EXACT SPOT WHERE THE 3ANTO .INO A VENERATED STATUE OF THE CHILD *ESUS WAS FOUND IN A BURNT BOX LEFT BEHIND BY THE -AGELLAN EXPEDITION 4HE 3INULOG A VIBRANT FESTIVAL ATTRACTING THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR IS HELD EVERY THIRD 3UNDAY OF *ANUARY TO HONOUR THE 3ANTO .INO PATRON SAINT OF #EBU #ITY WWW BASILICADELSANTONINODECEBU ORG PH &,9 7)4( %4)(!$ %TIHAD !IRWAYS FLIES BETWEEN !BU $HABI AND -ANILA EVERY DAY
%TIHAD )NFLIGHT 3EPTEMBER